Paolo Di Canio blames ex QPR striker for defeat of Fascism in Swindon

Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio has launched a scathing political attack on centre forward Leon Clarke after their Carling Cup defeat by Southampton.

The striker, who was recently 'released' by QPR for "lack of effort", had been heralded by Di Canio as "the best goal scorer since Benito Mussolini."

But after spending most of the cup tie in reverse gear and not firing a shot, Leon Clarke has been called "politically naive" by Di Canio and blamed for the humiliating loss to The Saints: "That useless donkey has destroyed the hopes and ambitions of all Swindon people" claimed the ranting Robins' manager.

An angry Di Canio told fans he had spent hours on the training ground with Leon Clarke perfecting the one armed Roman salute: "I thought Leon Clarke had the potential to be the future of Fascism in Swindon" said the disappointed Italian.

Leon Clarke, who has now been shown the one fingered salute by Di Canio, has told reporters he was 'confused' by the Italian's plans for the club to colonise all the land in the Didcot Triangle and return it to it's rightful place in the Roman Empire:

"The gaffer told me that after I helped him defeat Southampton we would invade Oxford and Reading and take control of the Didcot Axis" said Leon Clarke.

Make Rebel Not Taken's day - give this story five thumbs-up (there's no need to register, the thumbs are just down there!)